Clubs and Studios
A mahjong parlor and boutique opens its doors in Lake Mary
Billed as Central Florida's first mahjong parlor, The Mahjong Parlor held its grand opening on October 30 and has classes on the calendar through December.
Central Florida has a new room built for the tiles. The Mahjong Parlor, at 1061 South Sun Drive in Lake Mary, held its grand opening on the evening of Friday, October 30, and by its own account the night went very well. "Our grand opening was a huge success," the parlor's website now reads, with thanks to everyone who came out.
The event listing for that evening called it Central Florida's first mahjong parlor and promised free admission, free open play, hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and a chance to meet the instructors. The parlor describes itself as a mahjong parlor and boutique, so a visitor can play a game and leave with a new mat in the same afternoon.
What happens at the tables
The game here is American Mahjong. The parlor's Mahjong Academy teaches three levels. Mahjong 101 covers the basics, including the National Mah Jongg League card. Mahjong 102 builds confidence for players who know the moves, and Mahjong 103 teaches, in the academy's words, how to pass like a pro in the Charleston.
The academy lists Mahjong 102 on Monday, November 16 and Monday, November 30, from 6 to 9 in the evening. Mahjong 101 follows on Monday, December 7 from 9 in the morning until noon, and again on Monday, December 14 from 6 to 9 in the evening. The academy page says registration for classes runs through a link on Instagram, so check there for open seats.
Players who already know the game can come for open play. According to the parlor's booking page, open play is $30 for two hours with no membership needed, and players can bring their own tiles or rent a set for $10. A guided session is listed at $50 a player. A group of four can book a whole table for two hours at $120, with extra hours at $30. The page says a full online reservation system is coming soon.
Memberships, hours and a boutique
For regulars, the parlor's home page lists three memberships. A monthly plan is $175 a month with a three month commitment and two sessions a week. An annual plan is $1,800 a year with four sessions a week. A founding membership is $1,500 a year with five sessions a week and the lowest seat price at the parlor's automatic tables. Each plan includes guest passes, so members can bring a friend to the table.
The parlor's contact page gives its hours as Tuesday through Friday from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening, and Saturday from 10 to 4, closed Sunday and Monday. Ladies' game days, private groups and corporate gatherings are listed as coming soon. The boutique carries tiles, mats, racks and gifts. OOTT is not affiliated with The Mahjong Parlor and does not sell mahjong sets.
The parlor's About page says it began as a personal passion that grew into a vision for a welcoming space, and it closes with an invitation Prim could not improve on: whether you are a first timer or a seasoned player, this is your parlor.
“Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned player, this is your parlor.”The Mahjong Parlor
Prim's view
This is Prim's opinion. A parlor is a different thing from a club that meets in a borrowed room. It has hours, a door with its own name on it, and a light left on for whoever walks in on a Tuesday morning. For a newcomer, that is everything. You do not need to know anyone. You only need to show up.
Central Florida has no shortage of players, and Prim suspects many of them have been playing in living rooms and community centers for years, waiting for a place like this. If you live near Lake Mary, Prim suggests a December class for the friend who keeps saying they would like to learn, and an open play afternoon for yourself. Then bring a friend and let Prim know how the table treats you.